Evil in The Picture of Dorian Gray:

Evil in The Picture of Dorian Gray:

The Picture Of Dorian Gray is yet another novel portraying evil. The

theme is very much reflected by the book's setting, plot structure and

characterisation. It shows how individuals can slowly deteriorate because of

the evil lying within themselves. The evil of this book is the evil created by

one's self and thrusted upon one's self. The power of greed and selfishness

take over Dorian Gray and create an ugly evil side to him.

The mid eighteenth century was a very influential era, specially in

England. This period judged much upon appearance and status. Dorian was a very

wealthy, intelligent man with a very high status. He knew the very influential

and rich people in his town as well. His beauty charmed the world. Basil was

inspired to draw his portrait in order to preserve his beauty and youth.

Dorian recognised that as long as he remained young he would be handsome. He

dreaded the day that he would age slightly and start to form wrinkles and such

ugly (in Dorian's opinion) ugly things. He believed that that day would deprive

him of triumphs that would result in him being miserable.

The degree of evil within Dorian increases as the plot develops. By

trading his soul for his youth, Dorian rids of the good inside of himself. The

plot proves to us that evil does actually lie within an individual. From the

moment that he becomes forever young he begins to deteriorate. Even once he

reached his epiphany and saw his evil through the portrait he simply denied

seeing it and continued his malicious deeds.

The characterisation of the book is one of the most important elements

of this book. Dorian begins by being a very naïve lad. He is very easily

influenced by others especially his two new good friends; Basil and Lord Henry.

Basil, the painter of the portrait, influenced Dorian in more of a good, honest

way. While Lord Henry, although not being evil himself, gave him a more evil

insight on life. Both of them changed his life forever. How little they both

knew what went on inside that man.

Basil does not have any real direct influence on the youngster; without